MINUTES
BOARD OF PUBLIC SAFETY
SEPTEMBER 7, 2011
A REGULAR MEETING of the Board of Public Safety was held on Wednesday, September 7, 2011 in the
City Hall Auditorium.
Those in attendance included Mayor Ryan J. Bingham, Corporation Counsel Ernestine Yuille Weaver,
Members of the Board of Public Safety Angelo LaMonica, Richard Zaharek, Douglas Benedetto, James Potter, Darlene Battle and Christopher Cook, Police Chief Michael Maniago, Deputy Police Chief Christopher Smedick,
Fire Chief John Field, Deputy Fire Chief Gary Brunoli, Traffic Officer Robert Shopey, Emergency Management Director Rick Dalla Valle, Burrville Volunteer Fire Chief Ken Marques, Torringford Volunteer Fire Chief James Newkirk, Drakeville Volunteer Fire Chief Michael Maccalous and Purchasing Agent Pennie Zucco.
Mayor Bingham called the meeting to order at 6:33 p.m.
PRESENTATION – Ray Clark
Chief Maniago presented a plaque to Mr. Ray Clark, a dedicated volunteer for the Police Athletic League and D.A.R.E. program, thanking him for his tireless work.
MINUTES
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Potter, the Board voted unanimously to accept the minutes of the Regular Meeting held August 3, 2011.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
On a motion by Commissioner Zaharek, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to open the meeting to the public. There was no one who wished to speak.
POLICE OFFICER – Matthew Gonska
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Probationary Officer Matthew Gonska as a regular member of the Torrington Police Department effective 8/16/2011 after successfully completing his probationary period.
Chief Maniago said he fully endorses Officer Gonska.
LIVE FIRE BURN TRAILER
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the recommendation of the Purchasing Agent and the Fire Dept. Training Officer to award the purchase of the Class A Live Fire Burn Trailer to American Fire Training Systems, Inc., of Lockport, IL in the amount of $167,500.00. Training Officer Hepburn explained that the low bidder, American Fire Training Systems, was the closest to their bid specs for a two story trailer for basement training.
POLICE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Chief Maniago's Report for July, 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked if there is a limit to the number of overtime hours that can be worked. Chief Maniago said they are allowed to work 16 hours a day, 8 hours regular time and 8 hours of overtime. It all depends on the where they are in the rotation and how many times their name comes up during the course of a month, he said. During this month there were some training items, and the Detective Bureau was unusually busy. He said they do not exceed any number of hours that would make it unsafe for them to be working.
Commissioner Potter noted the Animal Control office seemed to be very busy. Chief Maniago said the 188 calls could be attributed to the time of year, that operation adjustments may make people more willing to call, or the service being provided now may be the impetus for people to feel like they can get a better response.
OFFICER SHOPEY’S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept Officer Shopey’s Reports for July 2011.
Commissioner Benedetto asked how many days Officer Shopey was out on the road, to which he replied one or two days. Chief Maniago added that he has to do this to maintain his certification.
CENTRAL AVE – NO PARKING
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept
Officer Robert Shopey's recommendation that the south edge of Central Avenue from Apple Street to High Street be posted as "No Parking".
Officer Shopey explained cars are parking on both sides of the road more frequently now, blocking the road. He said due to public safety concerns taking precedent, he has not polled the neighbors for their opinion.
BRIGHTWOOD AVE – NO PARKING
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board considered acceptance of Officer Robert Shopey's recommendation that the west edge of Brightwood Avenue from East Pearl Street northerly for a distance of 398' be posted as "No Parking".
Officer Shopey explained cars are parking on both sides of the road restricting the area to one travel lane. He added there is no horizontal line of sight for oncoming vehicles. He said this is a safety problem, a legitimate complaint and the only remedy that we have is to remove the parking to maintain two-way traffic. Officer Shopey explained cars are parking on both sides of the road more frequently now, blocking the road.
Commissioner Potter said he doesn't want property owners to complain that the parking in front of their homes was taken, and would rather see the neighbors notified first.
Commissioner Potter made a motion to table this until the residents can be notified. Commissioner Cook seconded the motion and the vote was 5 to 1 with Commission Benedetto opposed.
FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Chief’s report dated August 30, 2011.
DEPUTY FIRE CHIEF'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Cook, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept Deputy Chief Brunoli's Report for August 30, 2011.
Deputy Chief Brunoli said the Vehicle Replacement Advisory Committee met and decided to recommend that old Engine #2 be kept as a city-wide spare to use amongst the three Volunteer and the City departments. They decided to retire old Engine #5 and have the Fleet Manager sell it.
Mayor Bingham added that a limit of $6000 was discussed for spare apparatus expense, and if the spare were retired, it would not be added to the Vehicle Replacement plan as additional apparatus.
FIRE MARSHAL'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Fire Marshal's Report for July, 2011.
TRAINING OFFICER'S REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Training Officer's Report dated August 30, 2011.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT DIRECTOR REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to accept the Emergency Management Director’s Report for July, 2011.
EMS PROVIDER REPORT
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to accept the EMS Provider Activity Report from Campion for July, 2011.
BUS: DEPT HEADS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Department Heads.
Chief Maniago thanked everyone involved in the EOC project. He said he truly believes this will help the City. He noted that the Detective Bureau has 129 open cases, and both School Resource Officers are operating – one at the high school and one at the middle school.
Chief Field thanked the Commissioners for their support of the project. He announced the 9-11 Memorial dedication at the North End Station.
Mayor Bingham commended Mr. Dalla Valle for the work he did in preparation for Tropical Storm Irene, especially the team work by all emergency personnel.
Mr. Dalla Valle added that it's not over yet, as paperwork needs to be completed. He said assessment figures amount to $123,422 right now, but he anticipates that figure to increase by 15 or 20%. A team from FEMA was here, he said, and they encouraged him to submit more claims. He said FEMA also will meet with individual homeowners and businesses. The governor has worked with insurance companies, and a list is available on the insurance department website stating which insurance companies are waiving the deductibles for the storm.
He said the smooth, cooperative effort by all personnel was remarkable.
Deputy Chief Brunoli reported that the EOC building is just about complete, with some punch list items left to do. He brought a $14,999 phone installation invoice to the Board's attention that was outside the project parameters, and will be added in to the cost of the project. He said it will be paid for with Capital Funds.
BUS: VOLUNTEER FIRE DEPTS.
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by Volunteer Fire Departments.
Burrville Chief Ken Marques thanked everyone involved in the storm, including Mr. Dalla Valle who loaned them some cots. He said five firefighters started Firefighter 1 last night at the Burrville Fire School.
Drakeville Chief Mike Maccalous had no report.
Torringford Chief Jim Newkirk reported one of his firefighters just completed Firefighter 1, making a total of nine interior firefighters. Another Torringford firefighter just began Firefighter 1 last night, two have signed up to take the Instructor 1 course and two have just passed the Certified Pump Operator course. He said the three Volunteer Departments have had three joint training drills in the past two months. He thanked Deputy Chief Brunoli for loaning them old Engine #2. Engine #17 will be out of service for repairs, inspection and the annual pump test. He said they have encountered a major unplanned expenditure as their parking lot has sunk to the point where the trucks' rear differential is almost bottoming out. The best price to repair this is $6000.
Engine #17 could cost between $1800 and $2000 to bring it up to speed on its DOT inspection.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Zaharek, the Board voted unanimously to consider business by the Mayor and members of the Board of Public Safety.
Commissioners LaMonica and Zaharek were happy to see the new EOC.
Commissioner Benedetto admonished the Drakeville Chief and Deputy Chief for taking fire apparatus out of town to parades. His said his concern is that it wouldn't be ready for a fire. Chief Maccalous said it would have been quicker to respond to a fire from the parade than to go from the parade to the Fire Hall to the scene.
BUS: MAYOR & MEMBERS CONTINUED
Mayor Bingham said this would be best addressed in a policy committee meeting, not as an exchange in a Board of Public Safety meeting. Deputy Chief Brunoli said we don't have a usage agreement so it is a grey area. He said the Fire Service Coordination Committee meeting might be the place to talk about this.
Commissioner Benedetto addressed Officer Shopey, saying a truck lost its brakes coming down Mountain Road in 2010. Signage was to be installed on that road. Officer Shopey said it was installed, and will check to make sure it's not missing.
Commissioner Benedetto expressed disapproval about the Blue Ribbon Commission visiting the Wallingford Fire Department without including the Fire Budget Subcommittee. Mayor Bingham said he's glad the Commissioners are interested and will get them involved in it.
Commissioner Benedetto complained that the Starks Hill Road on Saw Mill Hill Road sign is hidden behind trees and the residents are concerned that emergency personnel might not be able to find the road. He further pointed out that approximately 6 students wait for the bus on the corner of Lorenzo and Lois Streets, and they are being destructive. Chief Maniago said he'd have it investigated.
Commissioner Potter commended the new EOC. Having listened to the radio calls during the storm, he said, it's obvious that things have come together well.
Commissioner Cook agreed. He said that the Board has the right to question fire apparatus use.
Commissioner Battle said congratulations on the dispatch center, that it was well-organized and she was impressed.
EXECUTIVE SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to enter Executive Session at 7:23 p.m. under Fire Dept. Personnel, inviting Chief Field and Deputy Chief Brunoli.
OPEN SESSION
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to re-enter Open Session at 7:41 p.m.
DEPUTY FIRE MARSHAL
On a motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Benedetto, the Board voted unanimously to promote Firefighter Ed Bascetta to the position of Deputy Fire Marshal effective Sunday, September 11, 2011.
ADJOURNMENT
On a motion by Commissioner Benedetto, seconded by Commissioner Cook, the Board voted unanimously to adjourn at 7:43 p.m.
ATTEST: JOSEPH L. QUARTIERO, CMC
CITY CLERK
Respectfully Submitted,
Carol L. Anderson, CCTC
Assistant City Clerk
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